SSA to Change How to Access BSO on March 25

On March 25, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is changing how to sign up for and access Business Services Online (BSO) accounts [BSO, Alert, 3-20-23]. The change will affect users of Wage File Upload, W-2 Online, W-2c Online, AccuWage Online, and the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS).

What to Do

On March 25, current and new BSO users will need to use SSA’s Public Credentialing and Authentication Process to access employer services. First time users who visit the employer webpage after March 25 will be redirected to the Social Security Sign In page to begin the authentication and registration process.

BSO users will need a separate Social Security online account—either a my Social Security account created before September 18, 2021, an existing Login.gov account, or an existing ID.me account. Users who do not have one of these three accounts will need to create one from the Social Security Sign In page to access BSO employer services.

Users who do not have an existing Login.gov or ID.me account can create one now. This account will not be associated with their BSO User ID before March 25. Users will still need to visit BSO after that date to complete the process.

Once users complete the credentialing and authentication process on or after March 25, the current BSO User ID will be associated with their new credentials.

To learn more about federal and state laws, regulations, and information to keep your company's payroll operations in compliance, check out Payroll Source Plus!

Jyme Mariani, Esq., is Managing Editor of Payroll Currently and Senior Manager of Payroll Information Resources for the APA.